Chapter 71: A Sweetness Never Felt Before

“Thank you, Master!” Tang Mi carefully put her things away, then bowed deeply to Guixi with utmost seriousness and respect.

The more Guixi looked at this little disciple, the more he liked her. He couldn’t bear to see her kneel, so he quickly helped her up. “From today on, you’re this old man’s disciple. I’ll teach you well.”

At this, Guixi looked a little embarrassed. “Although, honestly, there’s not much left for me to teach you. In the dream, this old man already taught you everything you needed.”

He was the immortal in her dream, after all. Naturally, he claimed credit for what had been taught there.

Tang Mi looked at him teasingly. “Don’t you still know how to use Gu techniques?”

“Well…” Guixi rubbed his nose awkwardly, “That’s a bit too complicated. We’ll leave that for later. Let’s start with the basics first.”

Guixi took several books from his robe. Realizing Tang Mi had likely learned all of this already, he gave a sheepish laugh. “Since you’ve already studied these, just take some time to review them. I’ll quiz you later.”

Tang Mi didn’t mind. She accepted the books and gently caressed them.

These books had accompanied her through countless difficult nights. They were her salvation.

Suddenly recalling something, Tang Mi looked up. “Master, you’ve prepared the medicine for the people at the Chenghuang Temple, right?”

Hearing her call him “Master” made Guixi beam with joy. He grinned broadly. “Don’t worry, it’s all ready.”

“Then let’s go to the temple again,” she said. After all, she had promised them yesterday that she would return.

“Alright,” Guixi replied and led Tang Mi to the Chenghuang Temple.

The beggars at the temple all seemed unusually energetic that day. When Tang Mi entered, none of them were asleep.

Seeing her arrive, they all became visibly excited.

“The divine healer is here!”

“I knew she’d come!”

“She’s a fairy. She wouldn’t lie to us!”

Just moments before, they’d been worried she wouldn’t show up. But no one ever doubted her kindness, only feared she might’ve acted on impulse and wouldn’t return after a single visit.

Thankfully, she kept her word. She said she’d come today and she did.

“Fairy Sister!” The little boy Yuer happily ran over to Tang Mi.

Tang Mi squatted down and smiled as she gently ruffled his hair. Then she handed him a paper-wrapped bundle.

She hadn’t forgotten what she promised him yesterday. So when preparing things with her master, she had made an extra portion just for him.

“This is for me?” Yuer held the warm bundle, feeling the heat through the paper, a warmth that quickly spread through his entire body. He couldn’t remember the last time he had felt such comfort.

His eyes instantly welled up with tears.

Seeing him cry, Tang Mi’s heart ached. She gently cupped his little face. “I made this myself. Try it and see if it’s good. If you like it, I’ll bring you some every time I come.”

Hearing that it was made by her hands, Yuer’s heart warmed even more. Carefully, he unwrapped the paper. When he saw the sugar-coated sweet potatoes inside, his eyes lit up.

Looking at Tang Mi’s expectant gaze, Yuer blushed and picked off a small piece. He took a bite and instantly widened his eyes in delight.

That sweet flavor, like honey, spread from his mouth through his entire body, filling him with joy. “It’s delicious! This is the best thing I’ve ever eaten!”

Looking at Tang Mi, Yuer earnestly praised her. In that moment, his eyes sparkled like stars, dazzling and brilliant.

“I’ll make more for you next time if you like it,” Tang Mi said, clearly pleased to see how much he enjoyed it.

“Thank you.” Yuer ate one piece and then wrapped the rest back up.

Tang Mi looked at him in confusion.

His face turned red, and he shyly explained, “It’s so good… I think my mother hasn’t had something this nice in a long time. I want to save it for her.”

Seeing how thoughtful he was, Tang Mi affectionately ruffled his hair. “How’s your mother doing today? Is she feeling better?”

“Much better. She’s waiting for you over there.”

Tang Mi followed Yuer’s gaze and saw his mother leaning weakly against a wall, waiting for her.

Holding Yuer’s hand, Tang Mi began walking over, but noticed everyone else’s eyes were fixed on the paper bundle in Yuer’s hand.

Thinking of something, she quickly turned to Guixi. “Master, go buy some buns for everyone.”

Guixi’s face darkened. “It’s so late. Where am I supposed to find buns?”

“I don’t care. You insisted I come here,” Tang Mi playfully scolded before walking over to the corner.

Guixi sighed and resignedly went off to look for buns.

“Divine Healer!” Yuer’s mother tried to get up and bow when she saw Tang Mi approaching, but Tang Mi quickly stopped her. “No need for formalities. Just lie down.”

Hearing Tang Mi address her respectfully, Yuer’s mother felt deeply ashamed. “Please, don’t be so polite. Just call me Yuer’s mother. I’m sorry to trouble you again today… cough, cough…”

“It’s no trouble.” As Tang Mi spoke, she began checking her pulse.

After a long while, she let go. “You’re doing better than yesterday. But your lung illness has gone on too long. To recover fully, you’ll need to follow a long-term treatment plan. It won’t heal in just a day or two.”

“I… I can really recover?” At the mention of full recovery, Yuer’s mother became emotional.

Tang Mi smiled. “Of course. With proper treatment, you’ll be fine.”

“Thank you. You’re truly my savior.” Yuer’s mother became so emotional she tried to kneel, but Tang Mi quickly held her down. “Don’t get up just yet. I need to do another acupuncture session. Let’s begin.”

Yuer’s mother nodded and lay down obediently.

Tang Mi began the acupuncture again. She worked swiftly within fifteen minutes, the session was complete, and Yuer’s mother had drifted off to sleep.

Tang Mi packed up the needles and took several packets of medicine from the bundle Guixi had prepared. She handed them to Yuer and gently instructed, “Boil one packet every two days for your mother. When she finishes all of these, I’ll come back for another acupuncture session.”

Yuer took the medicine, then suddenly knelt before her. “Fairy Sister, thank you.”

As he spoke, he kowtowed to her.

Tang Mi smiled and helped him up, then ruffled his hair again. “Eat that sweet potato yourself. It won’t taste good once it’s cold. I already sent that old man to get buns. Save a few for you and your mother.”

Yuer nodded but still didn’t eat the sweet potato.

Tang Mi didn’t push him and turned to treat the others.

There were still many patients she hadn’t gotten to yesterday, they were already lined up.

Perhaps it was out of reverence for the divine healer, but no one made a fuss. It was nearly silent, and that warmed Tang Mi’s heart.

The patients left over from yesterday were mostly mild cases. Tang Mi quickly diagnosed them and distributed medicine.

Those needing follow-up from yesterday also received it, along with new prescriptions.

By the time Tang Mi had finished distributing all the medicine, Guixi returned, carrying a large cloth bag.